Foxymophandlemama
09-18-2005, 11:44 PM
A guide to new Fenders
This short guide (info thanks to those of the main bass forum, compiled by me) will give a bit of a guide as to the different types of Fender Jazz and Precision basses you can get. I believe this also applies to their other bass brands such as Zone and Dimension.
The Fender bass website: http://fender.com/products/search.php?section=Basses
The Fender bass & guitar pricelist: http://fender.com/resources/pricelists/pdf/FenderElectricsPriceListSummer2005.pdf
The Fender color chart: http://fender.com/resources/colors/
For more detail on the MIM, CIJ and MIA differences, please visit this thread. (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348431)
MIM, MIA, MIJ (a.k.a CIJ) basses
MIM = Made In Mexico
Lowest quality of the Fenders. If it's a cheap Jazz or Precision that is Standard, its probably MIM.
MIA = Made In America
Considered to be the best made Fenders. What they have that the MIM and CIJ basses don't have have:
- Graphite re-enforced necks
- Bi-flex 2 way truss rod
- Die Cast tuners
- Bridge that allows string-thru-body or top load stringing
- Better pickups
- Better electronics (potentiometers)
- Much better fretwork
- Better grade of wood for the body and neck
- Comes with a hardshell case
- Straplocks
MIJ = Made In Japan (a.k.a. CIJ - Crafted in Japan)
Most of the MIJ's are either Vintage reissues that are made in Japan or signature models like the Sting and Geddy. They usually use vintage reproduction parts.
(Thanks to Polyamarous, athousandcleverlines and JPBass)
American, Standard, American Deluxe and Deluxe basses
- Deluxe Models have active E.Qs. This gives a more "hi-fi" sound to them.
- Standards are MIM basses, the cheapest Fenders that you can get.
- Americans have better build quality and parts than the Standards, such as a string-through-body bridge
American Standard Jazzes, compared to Mexicans have better stock pickups, graphite reinforced necks and the new ones include S-1 switching.
(Thanks to athousandcleverlines and red zeppelin)
Alder and Ash body types
- Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight and its full sound. Its closed grain makes this wood easy to finish. Alder's natural color is a light tan, with little or no distinct grain lines.
- Ash is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with lots of "pop". It also has good bottom end. The grain is open and creamy.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)
Maple and Rosewood woods
- Maple has a supposedly harder sound. It is a harder wood also.
- Rosewood has a softer Sound.
However, most people cannot tell the difference between the two, the wood choice is primarily for looks.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)
If you have anything to add, please post it in this thread and I will edit this post.
Thanks
- Will
This short guide (info thanks to those of the main bass forum, compiled by me) will give a bit of a guide as to the different types of Fender Jazz and Precision basses you can get. I believe this also applies to their other bass brands such as Zone and Dimension.
The Fender bass website: http://fender.com/products/search.php?section=Basses
The Fender bass & guitar pricelist: http://fender.com/resources/pricelists/pdf/FenderElectricsPriceListSummer2005.pdf
The Fender color chart: http://fender.com/resources/colors/
For more detail on the MIM, CIJ and MIA differences, please visit this thread. (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348431)
MIM, MIA, MIJ (a.k.a CIJ) basses
MIM = Made In Mexico
Lowest quality of the Fenders. If it's a cheap Jazz or Precision that is Standard, its probably MIM.
MIA = Made In America
Considered to be the best made Fenders. What they have that the MIM and CIJ basses don't have have:
- Graphite re-enforced necks
- Bi-flex 2 way truss rod
- Die Cast tuners
- Bridge that allows string-thru-body or top load stringing
- Better pickups
- Better electronics (potentiometers)
- Much better fretwork
- Better grade of wood for the body and neck
- Comes with a hardshell case
- Straplocks
MIJ = Made In Japan (a.k.a. CIJ - Crafted in Japan)
Most of the MIJ's are either Vintage reissues that are made in Japan or signature models like the Sting and Geddy. They usually use vintage reproduction parts.
(Thanks to Polyamarous, athousandcleverlines and JPBass)
American, Standard, American Deluxe and Deluxe basses
- Deluxe Models have active E.Qs. This gives a more "hi-fi" sound to them.
- Standards are MIM basses, the cheapest Fenders that you can get.
- Americans have better build quality and parts than the Standards, such as a string-through-body bridge
American Standard Jazzes, compared to Mexicans have better stock pickups, graphite reinforced necks and the new ones include S-1 switching.
(Thanks to athousandcleverlines and red zeppelin)
Alder and Ash body types
- Alder is used extensively for bodies because of its lighter weight and its full sound. Its closed grain makes this wood easy to finish. Alder's natural color is a light tan, with little or no distinct grain lines.
- Ash is a very musical wood offering a very nice balance of brightness and warmth with lots of "pop". It also has good bottom end. The grain is open and creamy.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)
Maple and Rosewood woods
- Maple has a supposedly harder sound. It is a harder wood also.
- Rosewood has a softer Sound.
However, most people cannot tell the difference between the two, the wood choice is primarily for looks.
(Thanks to Polyamarous)
If you have anything to add, please post it in this thread and I will edit this post.
Thanks
- Will